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Show 282 lliCJJAltD llUHDJS. she live in this state of suspended consciousncss-tnkiug 110 nonrislnncut save tlmt wl1ich we p oured down l1Cr li11·oat by main force ; aud m·ery added l10ur j)roved her less able to oppose us in our labors of doubtful kindness. She sank just after tl1nt last JWroxysm in wl1ich she crushed the brittle glass between her teeth. Our lllllll of art l~:td exhausted his slend<'r l'CSourccs of skill, and, with a modesty tl1at did not sl1akc a confident head of power to the last moment, he soon d~clarcd his innbility to help l1cr more. Dut we needed uot Ids words to give us painful HSsurancc to this effect. '" c saw it with ou1· own eyes, while looking into the ft1st-glazing orbs of hers. \V c knew, from every symptom, that she must die. Perhaps it wns as wc!Iwltat should site live for 1 It was Oil the sixth day after lter attack, when her powers had been so f:.u· exhausted fltnt it becmne somewltat doubtfu l ut moments whether she breathed or not-and when, up to that time, she hnd given no sort of heed to any of the circumstances going on around lrer-tlmt she suddeuly stnrted, as if out of a deep sleep, nnd turned her sad but stiJI bright eyes, now fu JI of tliviuc intelligence, upon me. Tlterc was" speculation" in tlteir orbs once more. The consecrating mind !tad rctut·ned to its dwelling, though it were only to set all in order, and then dispose of it for ever. I bent forward as I saw the glnuce which site gave me, nnd breathlessly a sked lter l1ow she felt. "Quite well," she answered, in a scarcely-perceptible whis} Jer-" quite well, Richar(l; but it is so dark! Do put aside that curtain, if you please. liiother ltas shut everything up. I don't know wlretl1er it's daylight OJ' not." I rose and put aside the curtain; all(l the waiting sunlightthe broken but brigl1t beams that Ire sprinkled through the leaves-came gliding into the ch:unbcr. 1Ier eyes brightcued, as if with a natural sympathy, ·wlrcn site beltcld them. She made an effOrt to raise l1crself in the bed, but sunk back with an expression of pain, wLich slig-htly impressed itself upon l1er countenance, even as a breath passes over the mirror, gidng a momentary sta in to its purity. It was one breath of tim approaclling tyrant-to Iter tbe consoler. Seeing that she desired to be raised, I lifted and sustained her head upon my bosom. Her mother asked l10r if she fClt better. DE.\ Til! 283 " "'\\'ell, quite well," wns Iter rmsw: r. A minute did not chpsc nfter tlrat, when 1 felt a sliglr_t sh n·cr pass over Iter frame, which thou remnined motioulcss. ] [cr breathing was snspcnd.erl. I Jet }1cr J1cnd sink bnck gradually upon the pil~o.w, and,lookmg in her face, I saw tltnt Iter pure yet troubled sptnt had departed for ever. Uy wntchiug was ended. |
